Although merengue is now so strongly identified with the Dominican Republic, merengue music was being played and versions of merengue were being danced in other Caribbean countries by the middle of the 19th century. Merengue was also known then in Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia and Puerto Rico.
Merengue grew out of a fusion of European and African musical traditions and rhythms. The European elements can be traced right back to English country dancing of the 17th century. This found its way to the Caribbean via France and Spain where the music and dance of upper-class white settlers met the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of the black slaves.
American marines occupied the Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1924. The jazz music they brought with them also influenced merengue. (References 1)
Tensions of class and race meant that merengue was at first looked down on by many white Caribbeans. However, as national pride grew, many of them embraced merengue. It is now one of the most treasured elements of Dominican identity.
Economic migrants from the Dominican Republic took merengue with them when they left their island, most significantly to New York City, from where the dance has spread worldwide.
The authority on the history of merengue is Paul Austerlitz, jazz musician and musicologist. His definitive book, "Merengue: Dominican Music and Dominican Identity," traces the history of merengue in detail and sets the dance in its social, cultural and political context.